Expressions of interest are now open for incentives for Tasmanian businesses to employ apprentices or young trainees.

Larger businesses will be offered payroll tax rebates for every new apprentice, trainee and young person employed, while small businesses will receive a direct cash payment for every new apprentice and trainee employed, under the initiatives, announced in the state budget.

The incentives begin on July 1, but Treasurer Peter Gutwein announced an early pre-registration option on Saturday.

There are 500 grants available to small businesses, worth $4000 each.

“It’s first in, best dressed,” Mr Gutwein said.

“There are key checkpoints within the first two years of them being employed and payments will be provided once they reach those checkpoints.”

Launceston Chamber of Commerce president Tim Holder said the incentive would be a boost to small businesses in the area.

“It’s a big decision for a small business to put on extra staff,” he said.

“Sometimes it’s an agonising decision but this stimulus will activate small business to just make that decision.

“With some limited demand in the system there, they should do it as quickly as possible.”